TeachingLearningCenter (LLZ)

Language courses at HSRM

Hochschule RheinMain sees the teaching of foreign language skills as a central task in order to optimally prepare students of all subject areas for the professional world. In around 60 courses, we prepare students specifically for internships abroad and semesters abroad. This is why at least one foreign language (usually English) is compulsory for many degree programs at all locations. We also offer an additional program for voluntary participation:

• English
• Spanish
• Arabic
• Chinese
• German Sign Language
• French Sign Language
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Russian
• Thai
• Turkish

• German in studies: academic and technical language: The Language Hub offers various support and bridge courses and workshops for German. In these and in individual writing consultations, international and German students with and without an immigrant background have the opportunity to improve their knowledge of German as a subject and academic language and receive support in writing academic texts. You can find the current program on Stud.IP.

• Essential English: Do you have problems with English? In most bachelor's degree programs at HSRM, at least one semester of subject-specific English is compulsory. The Language Hub offers a 4-week intensive course during the semester break to help students with English language problems. Registration is via Stud.IP

Registration (Registration starts on April 01, 2025, 09:00 a.m.)

Please note that not all languages are available every semester. Some languages are instead offered in intensive courses during the semester break or in the following semester. Registration for the intensive courses is announced in January or July. The program will be published on Stud.IP approximately one month in advance.

Do you have questions about the registration process? You can find all information on our info page.

On the page News and appointments you will find current deadlines and upcoming events relating to the Language Hub. We also provide regular information on the enrolment and recognition of compulsory courses.

All further information on our offers from A to Z:

• Offers: The courses offered by the Language Hub are divided into three categories:

  1. compulsory courses: These courses are part of the degree program and follow its numbering system. Organizational data such as registration deadlines and examiners are administered by the faculty. Registration for examinations takes place via the system used by the degree program.

  2. additional courses (during the semester): The Language Hub offers these courses during an ongoing semester and also administers all organizational data. Registration takes place before the beginning of the semester via Stud.IP. Registration for the final examination takes place within the deadline set by the Language Center.

  3. additional courses (intensive courses): The Language Hub offers these courses in longer appointments during the semester break and also administers all organizational data. Registration takes place before the beginning of the semester via Stud.IP. Registration for the final examination takes place within the deadline set by the Language Center.

• Stays abroad: Appointments for information events on language certificates can be found under News and Appointments.

• Certificates/course certificates: The grades entered in the grade sheet on Compass count as course certificates. Only in exceptional cases can an additional certificate be issued.

• FAQ: You need further information that you cannot find here. We have compiled the most frequently asked questions for you on our FAQ page.

• Group size: The Language Hub aims for a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20-25 participants per course. Exceptions are possible depending on demand. Decisions on cancellations or parallel groups are made by the management and lecturers.

• Written examinations: Language courses usually end with a written and often an oral exam. Your lecturer will inform you of the examination dates in good time. Please note that registration deadlines and appointments vary depending on whether the language course is part of your degree program or an additional course.

• Grades: The Language Hub does not usually issue certificates of attendance, but examines students' performance. The lecturers decide how the overall grade is composed, often including active members of staff. Details of the assessment will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

• Teaching materials: In many multi-semester language courses, students are expected to purchase a textbook. Some lecturers provide supporting documents online, others distribute copies. Usually €5 is collected for copying costs at the beginning of the semester

• Tips and workshops: In addition to the language courses, you can also find additional workshops and tips via Stud.IP, for example on applications in English. You can find these offers via the search function on Stud.IP.

• International distribution list: The Language Hub operates an email distribution list (HSRM_International) on Stud.IP in cooperation with the International Office. This list informs students at irregular intervals about language courses, events related to stays abroad, important dates (e.g. deadlines for scholarship applications) and other relevant topics. Please register!

• Prior knowledge: Students are asked to register for the appropriate language level. In most language courses from level 2 upwards, a placement test takes place at the beginning of the first lesson to ensure that everyone is learning in the right group. We ask for your understanding that level 1 courses are only intended for beginners who have no prior knowledge of the language.

• Payment: The Language Hub's courses are free of charge.

Language certificates and language competence levels - Everything you need to know

The course catalog of the Language Center of Hochschule RheinMain is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Most additional language courses have the corresponding level in the course name.

Language certificates:

The Language Hub of Hochschule RheinMain issues language certificates for various purposes to students and applications for a degree program at HSRM. Please select the appropriate category below:

Language certificates for students: Stays abroad

Language certificates for bachelor's degree applicants

Language certificates for master's degree applicants

TOEFL/IELTS

Online placement test:

To independently determine your language level in a foreign language, you can also use various free online placement tests (see links below). Please note, however, that the results of these tests are non-binding and are NOT recognized as official proof of language proficiency at Hochschule RheinMain!

Cornelsen placement test (for German, English, French and Spanish - approx. 30-45 min depending on test level, highest test level: B1)

Cambridge placement test (for general English and business English; approx. 10 - 15 min depending on language level; highest test level for general English: C2; highest test level for business English: C1)

Dialang placement test(for most common European languages sorted by skill, takes a little more time)

Spotlight + telc placement test (for German, English, French, Italian and Spanish - approx. 15 min. After completing this test, an automatically generated email with a confirmation link will be sent to the email address you provided to submit the test result. Please also check your spam folder to make sure you have received the email).

Preparatory German course C1 with exam training for the digital TestDaF

Current information including registration form can be found at: https://www.hs-rm.de/testdaf. Registration is handled by the Admissions Office.

Questions regarding registration for the course or application for a place at university at Hochschule RheinMain: Ms. Laure Leuschner or Ms. Ursula Hague in the Admissions Office.

Information from the Admissions Office

Questions about the content and structure of the C1 course and the implementation of the digital TestDaF at Hochschule RheinMain: Ms. Cornelia Braun at the Language Hub:

Cornelia Braun

AKS e.V. - UNIcert®

UNIcert® is a quality seal initiated in 1992 by the Arbeitskreis der Sprachenzentren e.V. (aks), which is dedicated to promoting and ensuring excellent foreign language training, examination and certification, especially for prospective academics (see: www.unicert-online.org). University language teaching institutions, such as the Language Center at Hochschule RheinMain, can become a member of the UNIcert® network by undergoing an accreditation process. This is renewed at regular intervals of two to three years in order to ensure the high quality of UNIcert® training and examinations on a permanent basis.

The Language Center at Hochschule RheinMain has been officially UNIcert®-accredited since April 2022. As part of the Advance Your English course series offered by the Language Center, foreign language examinations can be taken at English level B2. Successful participants receive the UNIcert® II certificate(English for academic and academic appointments), which officially confirms their language skills at this level.

Advantages for students:

• free courses with practical relevance
• free foreign language exam
• a UNIcert® certificate, which provides a detailed description of the foreign language skills tested
• certificate recognized throughout Germany and internationally - ideal for internship, master's degree and job applications

There are separate training and examination regulations for UNIcert®-accredited courses.